The Daily Beast Podcast Truth About JD and Usha Vance's Marriage: Wolff
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Nov 5, 2025 
Michael Wolff, a seasoned journalist and author known for his insights on U.S. politics, joins Joanna Coles to delve into J.D. Vance's evolving public persona and controversial statements. They examine Vance's push to appeal to the MAGA base and the implications of his wife's religion on his political ambition. The discussion extends to the shifting dynamics in conservative media and Trump's polling struggles, questioning the sincerity behind political theatrics in this tumultuous landscape.
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Media Timidity And Pay‑For‑Play Risks
- Michael Wolff argues CBS's $15 million settlement with Trump and the subsequent favorable 60 Minutes interview show media timidity and pay-for-play risks.
- He says network TV feels outdated and compromised when it trades credibility for access.
Vance's Public Remark As A Political Gambit
- Wolff calls J.D. Vance a shape‑shifting, cynical politician willing to change religion and politics to gain power.
- He suggests Vance's public remark about his wife's faith was a calculated play to court the MAGA base.
MAGA Pressure Shapes Candidate Behavior
- Wolff explains Vance must placate an increasingly extreme MAGA base to survive Republican primaries.
- That pressure drives performative gestures, like denigrating his wife's background to signal loyalty.
